The inside of the passenger seat window was wet with tears as rain pelted it from the outside. Jade Summers leaned against it for support, her green eyes bawling as she was dealing with her over‐ whelming sorrow. All over her body, she could feel stress pass through her muscles in knots. Her mouth quivered as sobs heaved through her; her arms were folded tightly together, rising and falling with the uneasy rhythm of her breath. Randomly her eyes fell on the scenery passing outside, at the overcast sky and the orange leaves falling in the autumn mist. She could only focus on one thing for a second or two before her thoughts (uttered somewhere else. Next to her, Grayson Sky called her name, but she didn’t even hear him. "Hey, are you there?" he asked. "What?" Jade replied. "I said it’s going to be OK, babe. I’ll be right here for you," Grayson said softly. Jade appreciated her lover’s support but she knew things weren't going to be OK. The sky above had turned from a light drizzle to a full-blown storm booming with thunder. Jade felt the same turmoil inside her. Her mind was a whirlwind and bursts of pain jabbed at 1BRANDON CLARKE her like lightning. She could not believe she was going through losing a parent again. Her mother was dying of cancer and there wasn't anything she could do about it. Grayson gracefully pulled the car over and parked. Jade had a puzzled look on her face as she wondered why they stopped. "Grayson, what are you doing?” she asked. The handsome Adonis grabbed her hands and looked into her beautiful green eyes. He wanted to let her know he was going to do anything to help her get through this. Jade began to cry again not being able to control her emotions. Grayson held her close and kissed her on the forehead. "I just don't understand. We did everything the doctor told us to do. She should have gotten better!" Jade sobbed. Her mother Jennifer had had a long battle with cancer. At one point she thought she had been cured but then the cancer returned from remission. Every day both Jennifer and Jade had gone to chemo therapy. They were hopeful until the day they received the latest test results. The events of that horrible morning were burned in Jade’s memory. Jade and Jennifer were sitting in the hospital bed anxious about what the oncologist might tell them. Doctor Henry Clover walked in to the room with downcast eyes. Even before he spoke a rush of anger splashed over Jade. "No, don't give me that shit! Tell me my mom will be alright!" Jade demanded. Jennifer held her daughter close to calm her down but Jade was beside herself. She had already lost one parent and she could not stand to lose another. Doctor Clover walked two steps towards them. He placed a hand on Jennifer's shoulder as if the kind gesture would ease the blow. "I’m sorry. We did everything we could. We could try and make your last days as comfortable as possible," he said tenderly. Jennifer came to realize her days on earth were numbered. She tried every spell and potion to beat the cancer but in the end it came back. Jennifer was a powerful witch but this was the )rst time even her magic couldn’t help her. But Jennifer refused to be weak. She wouldn't give this fatal disease the satisfaction of breaking her down. 2THE BRAVE AND THE WICKED Jade, on the other hand, crumbled. She was scared. She loved her mom too much to consider the possibility she wouldn’t make it. "It'll be alright, Jade. Death comes to all of us. It’s just my turn to go," Jennifer said fearlessly. "No, I can't stand this. How could you be so calm? The doctor said you’re going to die," Jade sobbed. "Not even death will keep us apart, Jade. Just remembered that," Jennifer promised. Jade pulled herself out of the memory and looked around. Grayson still had the silver Honda parked as heavy rain was crashing down on the roof of the car. Through the water-blurred windows, the street was a ghost town. All the Salem residents were in their homes trying to keep dry and warm. Thunder roared, making Jade shudder in Grayson’s arms. He tightened his grasp as if to keep her from escaping his hold. If only he could protect her from the cruelty of the world. She was so sensitive and sweet. But she lacked con)dence and that had always confused Grayson. He had always viewed Jade as one of the most beautiful girls he had ever seen in his life. He didn't understand where her self-doubt came from. Grayson loved her more than anything. He would give her the moon and stars if he could. Better yet, he would cure her mom. But he couldn't. So his love and moral support would have to be enough. He was always patient and caring when it came to Jade. She was one of the lucky few who saw Grayson's tender side. Not that he ever tried to be deliberately mean, but he was a naturally guarded person. For now, Grayson allowed Jade to have her moment of weakness. She appreciated Grayson for pulling over so she could collect herself. She didn't want her mom to see her so broken. Instead, she wished she could be as fearless as her mom, but who was she kidding, she was nowhere near as strong as Jennifer. She always second guessed herself and had a cynical view on the world. It was something she had noticed most about herself after her father’s death. She loved him so much too. The three of them had been a close-knit family—until the night when Richard Summers’s car (ipped several times when he 3BRANDON CLARKE was on his way home from work. He was killed instantly. Jade was only twelve when the tragedy took place. Grayson gave Jade another kiss before checking to see if she was ready to get going. He knew Jennifer was waiting and he didn't want to stall any longer. Jade (ashed her perfect white teeth at Grayson to signal she was ready. The ignition sputtering back alive, the car pulled from the side of the road with a heavy swish as a mane of rain‐ water was tossed up in its wake. Jade placed her small (awless hands on top of Grayson's large calloused knuckles. "You’re very good to me, Grayson. I love you so much," she whispered. Grayson's brown eyes softened. "I’m not going anywhere, babe. You’re stuck with me," he said with a half-smile. Jade wouldn't have had it any other way. She realized how lucky she was to have a man like Grayson by her side. Sometimes Grayson could be headstrong, stubborn, and at times shallow but he was a solid guy when she needed him to be. He always followed through on promises and was consistently there for her. Jade didn't know what she would do if she had to face this alone. Grayson drove slowly and with extreme caution. The rain seemed to pound even harder on the window. Jade whispered an incantation and then the rain somehow moved around the car. He looked at the raven-haired witch in amazement. "I never get tired of you doing that, babe," he said in a lightened voice. Jade gave a modest smile. She didn't think it was so impressive. It was a simple incantation spell so the rain wouldn't cause them to crash. But Jade had to admit to herself being a witch was pretty cool. They finally reached their destination. Jennifer’s house looked down on the street with its row of windows overtop a sprawling porch. Its black roof peaked like a spire, making the house rise like a witch’s hat into the sky. Beside it was a black BMW pulled into the driveway; at once Jade’s intuition flared up at the sight of it.

"I think my uncle is here," she said. Grayson took a glance at the car and was instantly impressed. "Wow, he must be loaded," Grayson replied. He had always wanted a fancy car like that but he knew he could never afford it. Jade hadn't seen her uncle Fred in over ten years. When she was young he would stop by and take her out for ice cream. She knew Fred had lots of money but never knew what he did for a living. In fact, he was the only rich person she had ever known. But Fred had stopped coming around after a big fight he had with Jennifer. Until then Jade had always thought they had had a tight brother and sister relationship, but that all ended that day. The memory was vague: there was talk of a box, and Fred stormed out screaming that they would regret this.

"Why is he here?" Jade wondered aloud.

"He's probably just paying his last respects," Grayson rationalized. That wasn't good enough for Jade.

“Fred didn't bother to show up at my dad’s funeral. Why does he care now? He must have known when my mom got sick the first time. So why is he here?" So many questions were going through Jade's mind. She didn't like the feeling she was getting. Her intuition was always right even if she couldn't prove it. And why had he been so angry about a box? Grayson rushed out of the car to get the umbrella out of the trunk. His brown hair was soaked in the process. He reached to open Jade's door and pulled her under the umbrella, wrapping his muscular arm around Jade's petite waste to hold her close. As they approached the house, Jade reached for the key that her mom gave her when she moved out. But before she could insert the key in the lock, a tall, green-eyed man opened the door. It was her uncle Fred. He was dressed in a three-piece suit, all black and seemingly expensive. In his pocket a bright green square poked its corner out, complementing the dark emerald buttons on his vest. Fred stood there leaning against the door frame with a grin on his face. It startled both Grayson and Jade. "Hello, Jade. Long time no see," Fred said. Jade tried to be as polite as she could. "Hey, Uncle Fred. It’s been years." Grayson noticed how Fred's eyes were identical to Jade's. It must have been a family witch thing. "Well, just don't stand there, you two. Get out of the rain!" Fred exclaimed. Grayson and Jade rushed into the warm and dry house. They placed their jackets on the coat rack. Grayson neatly placed the wet umbrella by the door.

"Where’s mom?" Jade asked. "Oh, she's in her room resting," Fred replied “Where have you been all these years?" Jade blurted. She could have been more tactful in asking, she knew, but his years of absence suddenly got the better of her. Especially painful was the memory of him not going to her dad’s funeral. "Oh, Jade, I was traveling the world. I needed a fresh start and life just took over. I’m sorry I haven't been around and to be honest Jen and I have not been on the best of terms but I decided that none of that matters now," Fred said. He sounded sincere but Jade still looked at him with a side eye. Whatever his reasons were, she had to put her suspicions to rest for the time being.

"This is my boyfriend Grayson," Jade said. Both Grayson and Fred reached for a handshake. Fred noticed how strong Grayson was just by his firm grip.

"It is great to meet you, man," Grayson said politely.

"Likewise. You have a strong handshake there. I like a man with a strong handshake," Fred replied. Grayson smiled and thanked the green-eyed man. Fred turned his attention back to Jade. He reached in for a firm hug. Jade reciprocated it. "Your mom is resting well. She is expecting you. Would you two like a drink?" Fred asked. Jade and Grayson both declined the beverage politely.

"Isn't there anything we could do to help her?" Jade choked out.

"I tried, Jade. Neither magic nor medicine will get her out of this," Fred said. He then realized he had said “magic” in front of Grayson.

"It’s OK, Fred. He knows about our family," Jade explained.

"That’s interesting," said Fred.

“What’s interesting?" asked Jade.

"You are. Just like your mom falling in love with a mere human and telling the family secrets," Fred explained. Grayson’s jaw tight. He didn't like being called an outsider. He was Jade’s number one supporter and he would be damned if he was looked as an outsider.

"He's my boyfriend, Fred. I trust this man with my life," Jade said forcefully. Fred changed his demeanor and apologized for the rude comment.

"Please forgive me. I mean no disrespect. All I meant to imply is that our world can be dangerous. I meant nothing more," Fred replied. Grayson put an arm around Jade.

"Don't worry, there ain’t nothing I can't handle," Grayson chirped with a bold confidence. Fred had a smile on his face as if he was holding in a dark secret.

"Oh, of course, you stud. I have no doubt in my mind." Grayson noticed how fancily Fred was dressed. From his shoes, his shirt, and expensive watch. He really had it going on. Grayson grew up poor and he had to fight for everything he had. He felt inferior next to Fred. Fred had so much to show for himself. You could see clear as day he had made something out of his life. Even his cologne smelled expensive. For the most part, Grayson was grateful to have a steady job as a mechanic and the love of his life by his side, but from time to time little flashes of jealousy like this would snag him and throw him into rut for a minute. Grayson shook himself from this. What mattered now was that Jade’s mother was dying. There was no reason to think about anything else.

"I’m going to check on Mom," Jade said. She made her way down the hall while Fred and Grayson followed. Jade lightly knocked on the door and a frail voice invited them in. On a canopied bed, the once powerful and confident woman was now bedridden on the brink of death. The long raven hair that was once on Jennifer’s head now was gone. Her green eyes looked weak. Her face was sunken in. "Hi darling," Jennifer said.

"Hi mom, can we get you anything?" Jade asked. "Oh no, honey. Your company is all I need," Jennifer replied. She looked past Jade and saw Fred and Grayson looming by the door. Grayson wasn't sure what to do or say.

"Hi Mrs. Summers," Grayson said. Jennifer responded with a warm hello. She was quite fond of Grayson. He was always respectful and he went out of his way to win her approval. He wanted her to like him. He witnessed how close Jade was with her mom and he really admired their sister-like relationship. Jennifer then turned her attention to Fred. It looked like she wanted to say something but she kept it to herself.

"Fred? Would you mind running to the store and getting me some items?" Jennifer asked. She grabbed a pen and paper and began writing a long list of things she needed from the store. Fred raised an eyebrow but complied to her needs. He grabbed the paper from Jennifer's frail hands and proceeded to walk out the door. "Be back in a few, Jenny," Fred yelled.

"Oh, take your time, little brother," Jennifer called back. The moment Jennifer heard the door close, she ordered Jade to sit. Without a sound, a black cat leapt onto the edge of the bed.

"Oh, hello Barthalamine," Jade said. The black cat walked over to give Jade a proper greeting. Grayson reached down to pet him and he reached up to rub his cheek against Grayson’s hand. Grayson smiled. "Cats are awesome."

Jennifer snapped her finger to get Jade's attention.

"Look, honey, I don't have much time. I left you the deed to the house, along with all the bank accounts and the car." Jade hated hearing this but she knew it was necessary. "There is also something I've been keeping a secret. There is a box downstairs in a hidden area. Do not let Fred get a hold of it. He's not a good man. Please, honey, don't trust him." Jade felt a sense of reassurance that her intuition about her uncle was being validated.

"What’s in the box?" Jade asked. "Something that you should never let see the light of day. You are the new guardian of this box, Jade. Never let Fred know where it is. Before you got here he was trying to get me to give it to him because he somehow found out I am dying. Just play dumb and act like you don't know what he is talking about," Jennifer explained.

Jennifer turned her attention to Grayson. "Please look out for my little girl." Grayson saw how serious Jennifer looked and assured her she would always look after her. Jade then remembered when she was younger how they were arguing over that damn box.

"Come on, Mom, you gotta give me more than that, "Jade pleaded.

"There is something really bad in that box and if it ever got out a lot of people will die!" Jennifer exclaimed. Jennifer didn't want to talk anymore about it. She wanted to spend her last moments speaking with her daughter about pleasant things. She assured Jade everything would make sense soon. Jade lay next to her mom and began watching the news. Salem News anchor Karen Price was doing a story on a drug bust. Jade felt how frail her mom was and it made her come to face the fact that this was probably going to be her last moment with her mother. Barthalamine was on the opposite side curled up in a ball purring. Tears began to fall down Jennifer's face.

"I love you darling. Don't you ever forget that." Jennifer kissed Jade's forehead tenderly. Grayson was sitting on an old rocking chair that was next to the bed. Both Grayson and Jade started getting emotional. They could physically witness Jennifer slipping away. They continued watching TV in a somber mood. Later that night Jennifer stopped breathing and she peacefully passed away.

A week later, Jade was getting ready for the burial. Jennifer was being buried at Green lawn Cemetery. She was placed next to her late husband Richard. Grayson was right there for moral support and over four hundred people came to Jennifer's memorial. Jade noticed a lot of fellow witches were there, including all the people she worked with at her job in the store Spells and Things. Jade also noticed the chief of police Gary Larson was present to pay his respects. She had never realized how loved Jennifer was. There wasn't a dry eye in sight, except for Fred. Fred had a blank look on his face as if the funeral was boring him and he had somewhere better to be. Also present at the funeral was an elderly woman with brown skin and piercing blue eyes named Sara Waters. She was a gifted empath that could sense the emotions of others and could read auras. Sara witnessed Fred’s dark energy and it was enough to remind her of when he had been kicked out of her and Jennifer’s witch’s coven ten years ago. She had known him to be self-serving and always abusing his magic. His cavalier expression disgusted her and renewed suspicion toward him after all the years they had spent apart. Everyone surrounded the coffin, throwing flowers and roses as it was being lowered down to the ground. Jade was lost. Her mom was no longer here and she had to figure things out on her own. It wasn't fair that she had to lose both of her parents. She was officially an orphan. These thoughts overwhelmed her as the co1n was lowered into the grave, so much so that she had to look away from the casket as it went out of sight. She noticed another woman with long braids holding a bouquet of flowers. At first Jade thought she was coming to pay her respects to her mother but she saw the giant head stone she was placing the flowers to that was about ten feet away. She gazed over at the stone and her eyes landed on the name Kyle Sugarbaker. Somehow the name seemed familiar, though too many thoughts were surging through her head to place where it was from. As the ceremony came to a close, everyone hugged and gave Jade their best wishes. Fred approached Jade, giving her a shallow hug.

"I’m more than happy to help you sort out all of Jenny's things," Fred said anxiously. Jade gave him a suspicious look but thanked him.

"I appreciate that, Fred, but I think I can manage," she replied.

"Well, if you change your mind then you know how to reach me," Fred said.

"Are you staying in town long, Fred?" Jade asked.

"Oh, didn't I tell you? I just bought a house that’s maybe twenty minutes away from you," Fred said with a smile. Jade was shocked and annoyed at the same time. She saw right through his little game but remembered to just play dumb. She wasn't sure what he was capable of. "Well then, that’s really nice to hear. It'll be great to have some family around," Jade said. Grayson stood quietly holding Jade from behind, trying to be the rock she needed. Fred gave them one last look before turning away. He hopped into his BMW and drove off fast enough that his shrieking tires caught the attention of everyone in the grieving crowd. As Jade was getting ready to leave too, Sara grabbed Jade’s forearm, her blue eyes filled with urgency. "Hi Jade, I was a friend of your mother’s. My name is Sara Waters," she said. "It’s nice to meet you. This is Grayson, my boyfriend," Jade replied.

"Charmed. I worked with your mom at Spells and Things. She was one hell of a woman. She will be greatly missed," Sara sighed. She looked around to make sure no one was listening. "Look, please, stay away from Fred. I know he’s your uncle but he's not a good man. He is filled with greed and darkness." Sara just hoped Jade would hear the urgency in her voice.

"Please come to Spells and Things and we can talk more." Jade agreed to meet with her when she had time. Sara gave her a brief hug and walked away. Grayson grabbed Jade’s hand and asked if she was ready to go home. She nodded. As they began to pull away from the cemetery, Jade gave her mother one last goodbye.